as in stiff
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
stiffened corpses an old-fashioned dress with a stiffened lace collar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in strengthened
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
plans to further stiffen the already onerous requirements for admission to the elite military unit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stiffened
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
After the deputies put him back into the chair, Mitchell’s body stiffened, with his legs straight in front of him and his head lolling back.
—USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Democrats in Congress stiffened their opposition to an appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a partial government shutdown.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2026
As the Timberwolves’ defense stiffened, their shots finally started falling.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Outrage from the left about that maneuver stiffened Democratic spirits for a confrontation in the fall.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2025
Michael Carroll’s son stiffened — a cold jolt running through him — when his shovel struck what looked like rags and bones in the basement on Halloween eve 2018.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Here, it is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and the suspension has been stiffened a little for a sportier feel.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2025
The Broncos' defense stiffened in the fourth quarter yet again, but finally bent at the end of regulation in surrendering a game-tying field-goal drive.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
Verb
The prime minister’s demeanor stiffened.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
After the deputies put him back into the chair, Mitchell’s body stiffened, with his legs straight in front of him and his head lolling back.
—USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Democrats in Congress stiffened their opposition to an appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a partial government shutdown.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2026
As the Timberwolves’ defense stiffened, their shots finally started falling.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Outrage from the left about that maneuver stiffened Democratic spirits for a confrontation in the fall.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2025
Michael Carroll’s son stiffened — a cold jolt running through him — when his shovel struck what looked like rags and bones in the basement on Halloween eve 2018.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Here, it is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and the suspension has been stiffened a little for a sportier feel.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2025
The Broncos' defense stiffened in the fourth quarter yet again, but finally bent at the end of regulation in surrendering a game-tying field-goal drive.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffened
Adjective
-
The service Plentiful, youthful, and uniformly charming (though the stiff, ice-blue staff uniforms are oddly unflattering).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Mix water with dish soap (or a little vinegar) and scrub with a broom or stiff brush.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The council then strengthened the language to prohibit the sale of any kratom to anyone under 21, mirroring similar language recently passed in Kansas City, according to Lee’s Summit Development Services Director Tracy Albers.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The Penguins strengthened their hold on second in the Metropolitan Division by blitzing the Panthers during the first half of the second period, pouring in four goals in less than 10 minutes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Pitches that just barely graze the rigid outer edge of the strike zone prompted questions about how infinitesimally accurate the HawkEye technology that underpins ABS can be.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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The film’s surplus of action and chase scenes follows the same rigid formula of swooping camera movements and game power-up deus ex machinas that no sequence ever proves particularly exciting.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Democrats have historically struggled to gain solid footing in Utah, where about half the population belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Broadway gave a warm welcome to a batch of spring arrivals last week, with newcomers The Lost Boys, The Rocky Horror Show, Beaches, Fallen Angels and Titaníque beginning previews to more-than-solid audiences.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stiffened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffened. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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